Individual numbered tags are inserted at the base of the dorsal fin on hatchery (clipped) and wild steelhead that are caught at the Knife and French river fish traps. Grey numbered tags are used on steelhead that return to the Knife River and yellow numbered tags are used at the French River trap. Individual numbered tags are used to gather information on steelhead movement patterns within Lake Superior, occurrence of repeat spawning, age and growth, and trap efficiency.

If you catch a tagged steelhead, leave the tag in the fish and record the number. Report the tag number, along with the date, location, and if the fish was harvested or released to Lake Superior Fisheries. The MN DNR can provide you with information on when and where the fish was tagged and also the age of the fish.

Unnumbered plastic tags are given to Kamloops strain rainbow trout that are captured at the French River fish trap. The color tag used changes each year (table below). These tags quickly identify which fish have already been captured and used in spawning operations at the French River Hatchery.

Lake Superior Steelhead & Kamloop Rainbow Trout Tags

© 2006 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
© 2006 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Lake Superior Area Fisheries Office
5351 North Shore Drive
Duluth, MN 55804
tel. 218-525-0853   fax. 218-525-0855
e-mail. superior.fisheries@dnr.state.mn.us
Please include your email address in the body of your message
Diagram and explanation of fin clips for Minnesota's rainbow trout management
Notice the healed clip of the adipose fin.

Fin clipping is used by the Minnesota DNR as a means to identify hatchery-reared fish. The fin clips are used quite extensively in the steelhead and Kamloops management plan. These fin clips are mainly used to determine if a fish is a stocked or wild fish and to let fishermen know which fish are harvestable.

The link below will take you to the MN DNR description of the fin clips. Please, please, read up on the annual fishing regulations as well.

Know your fin clips!

 Angler Alert Sign Postings!
Click on the photo for the facts or visit the management page for more details.
2003 BLUE TAG
2005 GREEN TAG
2004 YELLOW TAG
2006 BLUE TAG
2008 GREEN TAG
2007 YELLOW TAG
Online fish tag reporting through the MN DNR website

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